Thank you for your insight, Pilgrim. I myself understand and accept Christ's oblation as the means to effect God's end (redemption of the elect) and the various means (preaching the gospel, intercessory prayer, personal evangelism, etc.) God has chosen to effectually call His elect by His Spirit and to effect redemption in their lives. What I am trying to find is a source of consolation to help assuage my wife's concern regarding the disposition (elect or non-elect) of our children. To put it another way, how would one counsel a young Christian couple (elect) about having children if they are concerned that any or all of said children might well be non-elect. Would they be better off not risking bringing children into the world only to ultimately see them lost for eternity if they are not chosen by God?